IT'S a bold move, giving your paying guests strict instructions about what they can and can't do.

That's probably why so many people took to Twitter to share with horror the news that Kevin Hart has banned mobile phones from his show at the Hydro tomorrow night.

The website bears an all-capital warning: PLEASE NOTE - NO MOBILE PHONES/CAMERAS/VIDEO WILL BE PERMITTED IN THE ARENA.

Kevin, an American megastar comedian, has turfed hundreds of fans out of his gigs for contravening his diktat - sometimes more than 100 just in the one night.

At a gig in Iowa City a woman was arrested after making a phone call during the show then refusing to obey police who asked her to leave.

Kevin is no trailblazer, however, dozens of stars over the years have tried to part fans from their grubby little hand devices. Jarvis Cocker to Alicia Keys, the late Prince and Jack White from the White Stripes, to name just a few.

While most are trying to persuade their audience to live in the moment and appreciate what's right in front of them, Mr White seems more concerned about losing plaudits he feels he deserves.

“People can’t clap any more," he told Rolling Stone, "Because they’ve got a f****** texting thing in their f****** hand, and probably a drink, too!” Come on Jack, let folk at least have a beer.

It's odd how we feel it's quite alright to get our phones out in an arena when we wouldn't dream of it at a stand-up gig.

Though getting your mobile phone out in a stand up venue is really begging for the attention of the comedian - and that's never going to end well. In a large venue the audience is more anonymous and, it would seem, when people feel they're anonymous, anything goes.

That's why people are so rude with their phones at the cinema. Not just phones, but iPads. Who needs to be checking Facebook during a film - on an iPad? You're not Kim Kardashian - your friends can wait 120 minutes for your next status update.

People's behaviour at gigs and in the cinema becomes increasingly outrageous as the time goes by. It used to be that one was sheepish about getting one's phone out to film a gig. You knew it was rude, you knew everyone would be judging you and it took a real brass neck.

Bringing your phone out during a film was just not done. Now people take phone calls during a movie. They take selfies with the flash on.

One of my friends will shout "Light pollution!" in the cinema if anyone dares try to use their mobile but having been caught in some mad cinema rammies over the years, I've swapped sanctimonious chiding for silent seething.

Am I old fashioned? Do we just give up and accept folk are addicted to their handheld hijackers?

I don't want to.

Having phones out shows nothing but a lack of respect and care for your fellow audience members and the performer - even if that's performer's on a cinema screen.

I'm nuts about a band called the Eels and, when they came to the O2 Academy in July, I filmed my favourite song. I hate myself for it. Will I ever watch it back? Unlikely.

If there is any appetite for change - or is it just me? - I doubt we'll win anyone over with gentle persuasion.

Kevin Hart's right: compulsion is the way. One touch of a mobile phone and you're out the door, no questions asked.

A blanket ban on mobile phones? That's music to my ears.